Acts 5:26 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Then the captain with the officers went and brought them, but not by force, for they were afraid of being stoned by the people.

NIV: At that, the captain went with his officers and brought the apostles. They did not use force, because they feared that the people would stone them.

NASB: Then the captain went along with the officers and proceeded to bring them back without violence (for they were afraid of the people, that they might be stoned).

CSB: Then the commander went with the servants and brought them in without force, because they were afraid the people might stone them.

NLT: The captain went with his Temple guards and arrested the apostles, but without violence, for they were afraid the people would stone them.

KJV: Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned.

NKJV: Then the captain went with the officers and brought them without violence, for they feared the people, lest they should be stoned.

After the chief priests discovered the apostles preaching in the temple courtyard, they arrested them and placed them in a public prison (Acts 5:17–18). This prison is apparently not terribly close to the meeting place of the Sanhedrin.

The "fear of the people" is a common theme because the political situation in Jerusalem was in a delicate balance. The city and the district of Judea were ruled by a Roman procurator, Pilate. The authorities in Rome knew of his vicious and violent ways. Pilate knew that if he didn't want to be relieved of duty, he needed to control the unwieldy Jews without inciting a riot.

The Sanhedrin was primarily made of men from two different Jewish sects. The majority Sadducees followed the Mosaic law as written and didn't mind the presence of the Romans too much. To a large extent, the Romans supported the priesthood—most of whom were Sadducees—and Roman presence was beneficial for the economy in expanding trade opportunity. The Pharisees were so devoted to the Mosaic law they added more laws, intended to help them better keep the actual Law. Although they were the minority party in the Sanhedrin, they had a greater influence over the populace.

Outside the council were the Zealots. They hated the Romans and wanted them gone, and they were willing to start an insurrection if that's what it took. The land had already seen several insurrections pop up, and with Jesus' triumphal entry, many were afraid He was about to start another one. Fortunately, so the Sanhedrin thinks, Jesus is dead. Unfortunately, His followers won't go away or stop talking about Him.

One problem is that even if Jesus is dead, the people still like Him. He healed them, spoke kindly to them, and publicly embarrassed the Sadducees (Mark 12:18–27), the scribes (Mark 12:38–40), and especially the Pharisees (Matthew 23:1–36). In addition, how else could the apostles have escaped if not with help from the people? Divine intervention is too horrible to contemplate—given what it suggests about the serious error Israel's leaders have made—although Gamaliel dares, just a bit (Acts 5:38–39). No, they must have had human help; five thousand men, with more coming daily, is a good start for an army (Acts 4:4).

Acts 5:17–26 occurs after the chief priests arrested Peter and John for preaching and healing in Jesus' name, and ordered them not to do so again (Acts 4:1–22). Now, all the apostles are healing and preaching in Jesus' name (Acts 5:12–16), and so the priests arrest them all. At this point, the Sanhedrin is still afraid of the people (Acts 5:26); after all, the apostles are so powerful the people believe even Peter's shadow can heal the sick (Acts 5:15). Soon, the council will get bolder. A mob will kill Stephen (Acts 7:54–60), and then a Pharisee named Saul will help the council drive almost all the Jesus-followers out of Jerusalem (Acts 8:1–3).

The apostles continue to make hard decisions in the name of Jesus, both inside and outside the church. When Ananias and Sapphira lie to God, the Holy Spirit inspires Peter to pronounce God's judgment on them, protecting the church from the love of the world. Despite the Sanhedrin's watchful eye—and direct orders (Acts 4:17–18)—the apostles continue to preach and heal openly. The guards arrest the apostles, but the Sanhedrin settles for beating them instead of capital punishment. The apostles consider it an honor to suffer on behalf of their Savior.

In Acts 5, persecution from unbelievers begins to accelerate. The Sanhedrin has become aware the apostles teach that Jesus rose from the dead (Acts 4). Now, they start to push back in earnest, arresting and beating the apostles. Soon, a mob will kill Stephen, a deacon (Acts 7:54–60), and the Sanhedrin will empower Saul to run down and arrest any Jesus-follower he can find (Acts 8:1–3). The apostles will stay in Jerusalem. Other Jesus-followers will carry His offer of forgiveness and reconciliation with God into the Roman Empire and beyond. The apostles' faithfulness and submission to the Holy Spirit is why we have the gospel message today.

The summary of the book of Acts is provided in Jesus' words in Acts 1:8: ''But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.'' In Acts 2:1–13, the Christ-followers receive the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:14—7:60 describes the rapid growth of the church in Jerusalem. Chapters 8—12 find Jewish persecution inadvertently spreading the gospel throughout Judea and Samaria. And in chapters 13—28, Paul and his companions spread the good news throughout the Roman Empire.